With their two star 7-footers healthy, the Los Angeles Lakers are coming off an outstanding rebounding game. They haven't had much trouble on the boards against the Golden State Warriors in recent years.

The Lakers travel to Oracle Arena on Saturday night, looking to continue their dominance over a Warriors team that may again be without coach Don Nelson.

Los Angeles (11-3) won its fourth straight Tuesday night, 100-90 over New York . It was center Pau Gasol's third game back from a hamstring injury, and the Lakers outrebounded the Knicks 60-36.

Gasol had 11 points and 16 rebounds, and fellow 7-footer Andrew Bynum had 17 points and eight boards. Lamar Odom, 6-10, added 11 points and 16 rebounds.

"We like to use our height to our advantage," said Bynum, averaging 19.7 points and 10.9 rebounds.

Los Angeles has outrebounded Golden State (5-9) by an average of 8.1 in wining 14 of the last 16 meetings. The Lakers have also been dominant offensively, averaging 121.8 points in sweeping four games last season.

Though Los Angeles has been winning, it hasn't been really challenged in since Gasol's return. The Lakers committed 25 turnovers versus the Knicks after averaging 12.0 in their previous nine.

"We have to do a better job and put in the effort," Gasol said. "The intensity level just winds down, and we've got to continue to play hard for 48 minutes."

The Warriors have shown signs of improvement, beating Portland and Dallas before losing 118-104 to San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Golden State has played well despite having a banged-up roster. The Warriors have also played the last two without Nelson, who has been diagnosed with pneumonia.

It's unclear when the 69-year-old Nelson will be healthy enough to return to the bench. At least a week's worth of rest is often recommended for pneumonia.

Top assistant Keith Smart has been leading the team in Nelson's absence.

Nelson has taken some criticism for the Warriors' struggles. He has had trouble dealing with a young roster, getting into an argument with guard Monta Ellis earlier this month.

Ellis has played hard with the bench limited due to injuries. He tied a career high with 42 points against the Spurs, one night after scoring 37 in a 111-103 victory at Dallas .

Ellis played all 48 minutes in two straight before finally getting a break against San Antonio , leaving midway through the fourth quarter but coming back in with a little more than 3 minutes left.

"He can get to the basket whenever he wants, that will be there for him," Smart said. "We have to make sure he's ready to play every night. If your best player is ready to play every night, that's when you move to the next guy."

Ellis got some much-needed help against the Spurs, as reserve forward Corey Maggette had 14 points after missing the Mavericks game due to a strained hamstring.

 

NBA Future:
JAVARIS CRITTENTON
Most highly regarded point guard (rated No. 1 at his position by Rivals.com, seventh-best high school player overall) to enroll at Tech since Stephon Marbury in 1995 ... Muscular point guard with size and explosiveness ... Excellent first step, difficult to guard one-on-one ... Excels at breaking defenders down off the dribble, getting into the lane and to the basket ... Can overpower defenders with his strength ... Excellent competitive drive, always striving to get better ... Excellent student who is described as a gym rat who loves to study tape, much like former Tech star Jarrett Jack, and has an impressive collection of videotape of great point guards.

Five-star prospect from Southwest Atlanta Christian School, making the McDonald's All-America team as well as third-team Parade and EA Sports All-America teams following his senior year ... Rated as high as No. 6 nationally (Hoop Scoop) and was the top-rated point guard in the country according to Rivals, No. 3 by Scout.com ... Final PrepStars.com ranking was No. 20.

A 3.5 GPA student who was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Senior Beta Club ... Played in the summers with the Atlanta Celtics AAU team.

NBA Future:
Brandon Rush
Full name is Brandon L. Rush... Born July 7, 1985... Undecided major... Brother, Kareem, was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection at Missouri in 2001 and 2002 and has played four seasons in the NBA... Brother, JaRon, played collegiately at UCLA... Was ranked No. 13 overall and No. 2 small forward, behind KU teammate Julian Wright, by Rivals.com... Brandon Rush pulled out of the NBA draft in summer of 2005 and joined the KU team in August... Twice named an all-star at the Reebok ABCD Camp and was the 2004 ABCD Camp most valuable player while playing for AAU KS Rocktown... Brandon Rush was a late addition to the USA Men's Junior National select team at the ninth annual Hoop Summit in Memphis, Tenn., following the 2004-05 season.

NBA Future:
Ty Lawson
Ty Lawson led Oak Hill Academy to a 42-1 record as a senior (won their first 42 games).Ty Lawson was first-team USA Today All-America selection. Ty Lawson averaged 23.8 points, 9.1 assists and five steals in 2006 Ty Lawson shot 63 percent from the floor, including 42 percent from three-point range. Ty Lawson had a season-high 37 points, one of nine games in which he scored 30 or more and a season-high 18 assists and had double-digit assists 18 times. Ty Lawson played for coach Steve Smith

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery